CHALLENGES IN DIAGNOSING PARKINSON'S DISEASE: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Abstract

Parkinson's disease is considered the second most common neurodegenerative disease, and its prevalence is expected to double in the next generation. However, an accurate diagnosis of Parkinson's disease remains challenging, and identifying the early stages of the disease is a major currently unmet need. Recent developments include the validation of modified clinical diagnostic criteria, the introduction and testing of research criteria for prodromal Parkinson's disease, and the identification of genetic subtypes and an increasing number of genetic variants associated with Parkinson's disease risk. Parkinson's disease is evolving from a clinical diagnostic entity to a biomarker-supported entity in which earlier identification is possible, different subtypes with different prognoses are recognized, and new disease-modifying treatments are in development.